On Monday the President of the Slovak Republic Andrej Kiska received Cardinal Koch, the head of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the Unity of Christians during his business trip to Slovakia. At the beginning the President of the Slovak Republic recalled his visit to the Vatican and the meeting with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, whom he perceives as an exceptional worldwide moral authority and inspiration in the day-to-day performance of his mandate.

In the discussion, the partners specifically addressed the problem and causes of spreading extremism, anti-Semitism and fascism in Slovakia and Europe, which combine contempt and an incitement to violence against people of other faith, race and nationality. They stated that young people are the most vulnerable to populism, spreading untruths and hatred.

They agreed that churches and religious communities have an irreplaceable role in consolidating the basic Christian values of tolerance, mutual understanding, and helping people in need. It is also the responsibility of politicians and other public people to make these values an integral part of political decisions and the basis for the functioning of society as a whole.